To us grown-ups, summer can mean

headaches caused by heat and humidity, too much time spent in air-conditioning, and unwelcome changes in routine.

Also, the endless application of sunscreen on our littles.

But to kids, just being outside can be a revelation. There’s birdsong, and water, and dirt…

Summer is a great time for reconnecting with your child, for truly listening to him or her – for deep, true bonding with this little person you are bringing up.

Does that seem daunting? If you’re not sure how to begin, listen to this episode of We Turned Out Okay!

Today, I am excited to interview Sunshine Parenting podcast host Audrey Monke, who has directed a summer camp for more than 30 years.

In that time Audrey has seen it all: extreme homesickness, parental worries, and, again and again, the life-changing magic of summertime.

We tap into her knowledge of how to make summer great, as Audrey shares THE 3 most important things you can do this summer to capture that magic, to truly enjoy the time you spend with your young child.

For TONS of amazing links that come up in today’s conversation, as well as to join our We Turned Out Okay private Facebook group (I’ve got a big announcement in today’s episode about something new happening in the group!)…

Welcome! To listen to today’s episode, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and hit the triangular “play” button. Enjoy the show!

As you probably did, I got spanked as a kid.

But, probably unlike you, I became an early childhood educator and lesson one was “we never, EVER spank a child.”

Still, it’s tempting, especially if it means stopping a behavior that you cannot stand for one more minute.

So, is it ever okay to spank your child? Do you ever do it?

Today – on We Turned Out Okay’s THIRD birthday! – we dig into why parents spank kids, the lessons a child learns from being spanked, and what other options we parents have.

WHY Parents Spank Kids

Not surprisingly, spanking doesn’t happen when your child’s behavior is smooth and easy.

It’s when they balk at what you are telling them to do.

When they drag their feet, whine, nag at a sibling until that sibling retaliates.

Spankings happen when we feel that we have been pushed to the absolute brink – when we feel like we have got no other choice.

Take a listen to this episode if you’ve ever felt like that, especially if you’re not quite sure that spanking is what you should be doing, but you don’t see any other option.

For notes to today’s episode, including:

– A 3-step method you can follow to discipline without spanking
– The sign-up for the 3 Secrets of Happy Parenting FREE online class, which distills everything I’ve learned into 3 simple lessons for true enjoyment of this parenting life
– Key Links and every back episode of We Turned Out Okay

Welcome! To listen to today’s episode, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and click the triangular “play” button. Enjoy the show!

Lots of us parents are pretty freaked out by the thought of money,

finances, and all the stuff we don’t understand about it.

Ben (my husband and the producer of our show) and I have spent the last year or so confronting our concerns about money, really looking our finances squarely in the face and conquering our fears…

Through this process, we have become more of a team than we were before! Our goals are aligned, each understands the other’s priorities better than ever, and we work closely together now to make our dreams come true.

That’s why I wanted to go in depth on the subject for you.

I want you to have those same good feelings, and understand that it’s possible to conceive of a great future for your child – and to actually start BUILDING that future.

What are the 5 most important things for you to remember, when you’re thinking about finances and raising kids? Listen to today’s episode to find out!

Go to weturnedoutokay.com/222 for notes on today’s 5 key takeaways, and links to every WTOO episode about parenting and money, so you can really go in depth on this topic!

At the website you’ll also find:
– Every back episode of We Turned Out Okay
– The sign-up for our 3 Secrets of Happy Parenting FREE online class
– Links so you can subscribe to the podcast in Apple/iTunes, Spotify, and more

Welcome! To listen to today’s episode, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and hit the triangular “play” button. Enjoy the show!

In my recent conversation with Mental Health Counselor and Play Specialist Janine Halloran, we talked about the outrageously high rates of suspensions and expulsions in preschools nationwide.

And one listener wrote soon after to share her child’s experience in preschool:

“Such an interesting podcast and alarming pre-K statistics. I can say we saw an opposite thing happening… Several kids were overly aggressive with minimal consequences… My child was being bullied by these aggressive children to the point of not wanting to go to school.”

Listener Jessica was kind enough to let me share her thoughts with you, and address her concerns, which might be your concerns as well, in today’s episode.

What comes out of it is the realization that many preschool policies on discipline are way out of whack with what kids really need to learn – both the bullies, and the bullied – to get along in this world.

Why: to learn :
– how to avoid fighting about parenting stuff with your spouse
– what to do when your child rebels against your daily schedule
– how to teach your young child patience
– how to handle your young child’s disrespectful “No!”

When: Thursday, April 20, 2017, 8 PM EST

Class is interactive – bring your questions!

You’ll receive a free, downloadable reference for the next time you come up against one of these challenges…

Welcome! To listen to today’s episode, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and click the triangular “play” button. Enjoy the show!

“When [my young daughter] is being impatient or persistent about doing something: at this age, how would I teach her to be patient?”

When listener Sherif asked this question recently, I knew it had to be part of the Common Parenting Challenges series!

Sherif asks some really pertinent follow-up questions:
– Is that possible at this age?
– Should I just distract her with something else?
– Should I stand my ground which will make her upset?
– If I give in to what she wants, is this teaching her how to always get her way?

Go to weturnedoutokay.com/148 to learn how to teach patience to your young child – and to sign up for the upcoming free, live Common Parenting Challenges online class, coming up Thursday, April 20!

Trouble with tantrums?

With littles, meltdowns are hard to avoid.

So I came up with the HEART method to help you:
– remain calm
– stop worrying about judginess with public tantrums
– know you’re not alone

To calmly, decisively handle every on of your child’s tantrums, click the button below!

I’m sure you’ve had some version of Sherif’s questions, especially when your child became a toddler. Here are my answers to these questions:

How do I teach patience to my young child? Is that possible at this age?

– I suggest that we don’t so much “teach” patience as “model” patience. Sherif’s daughter is 2, a notoriously difficult age for impatience – but each age has its own challenges, and even slightly older children (up till five or six) benefit from our modeling of patience. I guess, no matter what age our kids are they can benefit from our modeling of patience!

– In parenting, often times we have to pick our battles. Definitely, stand your ground sometimes (we never ever let kids run into the street, that’s one we ALWAYS stand our ground on); the trick is in knowing which battles to pick!

If I give in to what she wants, is this teaching her how to always get her way?

– The short answer: Yes. Giving in teaches kids that, if they protest long enough and loud enough they’ll get what they want.
Giving in is the quickest way to more, longer, and louder meltdowns; much easier to create good, firm limits and don’t let them drop.

Sherif, and you if you’re not Sherif but you’re in this position, I hope this answers your questions! Is not always easy to model patience and follow-through. But it is what works best with young children.

Click here for the first Common Parenting Challenges installment, episode 142 about disagreeing with your child-rearing partner over parenting stuff.

Click here for the second Common Parenting Challenges installment, episode 145 about how to handle it when your young child rebels against your schedule.

Check out the book I wrote to help parents handle all the challenges little kids throw at us, Positive Discipline Ninja Tactics, in Amazon. It’s really helpful for when you need a quick tactic to use immediately!

Click here to find out more about the Ninja Parenting Community, the place where I work closely with moms and dads just like you to handle their kids’ bad behavior, advocate for their children, and overall be happier in parenting.

Subscribe to the We Turned Out Okay Podcast in your fave podcatcher:

“I have two spirited kids and this is so helpful.” – Laurablou, 5-Star iTunes review

1

"We Turned Out Okay is very much in line with the "simplicity parenting" and "kids in nature" trend that I appreciate and benefit from. The podcaster's voice is great and her advice and insight is excellent. Try it!"
- seashell-carb, 5-star iTunes review

"My wife and I have really young kids, and as a result were so happy to check out Positive Discipline Ninja Tactics. Karen's mix of personal stories and great hacks – things to do in the toughest moments with little kids – make this book so useful and entertaining. Highly recommended!"

1

"This show is so great for parents. Karen shares relatable tips in a straightforward but also tender way. Very entertaining and educational."
– ParentNormal Podcast host Chris Cate, 5-star iTunes review

"Since I've been listening I've been more conscious about my life with my kids.
I love your stories and insight.
I love the guests that you have. They are diverse and passionate.
Thanks for doing the podcast. I can't wait for more. Please keep them coming!"
– How Ya Ben, 5-Star iTunes review

1

"So good. I have two spirited kids and this is so helpful."
– Laurablou, 5-Star iTunes review

1

"Karen is straightforward, funny and caring.
Most of all, her background in early childhood education means she has the experience and knowledge to back up what she says."
– Hkihm, 5-Star iTunes review